Individual Self Reflection 2020 on World Humanitarian Summit Commitments and Initiatives - Canada
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Individual Self Reflection 2020 on World Humanitarian
Summit Commitments and Initiatives - CanadaStakeholder Information Organisation Name Organisational Type City and Country where Headquartered Canada Member State Ottawa, Canada Focal Point Name Region Twitter ID Julie Desloges North America @CanadaDev
1A Demonstrate timely, coherent and decisive political leadership
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Canada promotes compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law as a matter of priority in the UN
General Assembly and ECOSOC resolutions on humanitarian issues, several of which Canada customarily co-sponsors.
In 2018, Canada focused its efforts on promoting women as agents of change, protecting language on sexual and
reproductive health and rights, introducing new language on non-communicable diseases in emergency situations, and
bolstering references to full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Canada also advocated for the inclusion of strong
language on the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian UN resolutions in 2018.
During its 2018 G7 Presidency, Canada successfully championed a G7 Foreign Ministers commitment on Promoting
Implementation of International Humanitarian Law.
Canada successfully advocated for the inclusion of age, gender, and diversity considerations in the recently endorsed
Global Compact on Refugees in order to better protect and empower vulnerable refugees, affirm international legal
obligations, and increase international cooperation to better enable comprehensive refugee responses.
Canada actively participated, at the ambassadorial level, in the May 2018 Security Council open debates on the Protection
of Civilians and on Upholding International Law, and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to lead efforts to enhance the
protection of civilians and the rules-based international order. Canada also called on the UNSC to clearly condemn direct
and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, and demand that parties to armed conflict comply with their IHL obligations
and the Council’s resolutions.
In June 2018, at the Charlevoix G7 Leaders' Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with other donors, announced
an investment of close to $3.8 billion CAD towards improving access for women and girls and reducing barriers to quality
education around the world. This commitment represented the single largest investment in education for women and girls
in crisis and conflict situations.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
☑ IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
Accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law remains a significant challenge for the international
community. Canada will continue to call for the full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, and speak out against violations of
international law.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
The United Nations and its Member States should continue to explore how to move from a culture of reacting to conflict to one of
conflict prevention and sustaining peace, particularly on the ground.
Keywords
Education, Gender1B Act early
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to act early upon potential conflict situations based on
early warning findings and shared conflict analysis, in accordance Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
with international law.
Commit to make successful conflict prevention visible by
capturing, consolidating and sharing good practices and lessons Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
learnt.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
In August 2016, Canada launched a $450 million commitment over three years for its Peace and Stabalization Operations
Program (PSOPs), which leads stabilization and fragile states policy; coordinates whole-of-government responses to
conflicts and crises around the world; and supports targeted stabilization programming in, and deployments to, fragile and
conflict-affected states. PSOPs works to strengthen the UN system in collaboration with key government partners. For
example, from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, through PSOPs, Canada provided CAD $83.75M million to support early
warning/conflict prevention, peacebuilding and mediation activities in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin
America. Canada committed to provide $15M to the UN Peacebuilding Fund which provides critical programming in the
immediate aftermath of conflict as well as to support conflict prevention measures in 31 fragile and conflict affected states.
To ensure rapid mediation capabilities are available to mitigate conflict and/or support emerging peace processes, Canada
is also supporting both the UN Department of Political Affairs and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue’s surge capacities.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Other: Conflict prevention requires a multi-pronged approach and international coordinated leadership.
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
The increasingly complex nature of crises poses significant challenges to undertaking early warning and conflict prevention initiatives.
International, coordinated leadership is needed to act early to stop potential conflicts from deterioration.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
Interventions in preventing, managing, or resolving violent conflict should be integrated to the extent possible. While it is
important to address immediate causes and drivers of conflict, deeper factors contributing to conflict must also be considered.1C Remain engaged and invest in stability
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to improve prevention and peaceful resolution capacities
at the national, regional and international level improving the Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
ability to work on multiple crises simultaneously.
Commit to sustain political leadership and engagement through
all stages of a crisis to prevent the emergence or relapse into Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
conflict.
Commit to address root causes of conflict and work to reduce
fragility by investing in the development of inclusive, peaceful Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
societies.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Throughout 2018, Canada worked toward delivering on pledges made during the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence
Ministerial (UNPKDM) that Canada hosted in Vancouver as a means of promoting effectiveness in UN peacekeeping
operations. This work included:
Advancing the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peacekeeping Operations, including laying the groundwork for a dedicated multilateral
funding mechanism to support the work;
Broadening the Member State endorsement base for the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment
and Use of Child Soldiers, as well as drafting Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles – a strategic level document
designed to assist endorsing Member States to implement the principles in their national systems;
Funding training activities to meet systemic UN needs;
Contributing police, military and civilian personnel for UN missions, notably in Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South
Sudan, and Haiti; and
Providing strategic capabilities to UN peacekeeping, such as the deployment of the Aviation Task Force Canada to Mali and Tactical
Airlift Support being negotiated with the UN.
Canada also demonstrated political leadership in addressing the root causes of conflict in several country contexts. In
South Sudan, Canada supported the Fortifying Equality and Economic Diversity project in 2018, which aimed to reduce
the risk of conflict by giving families the inputs and training support they need to feed themselves, thus reducing the risk of
resource conflicts.
In Colombia, Canada supported several initiatives to empower women and girls and help women succeed in the
marketplace and increase their skills, which will be particularly important for peace stabilization. In particular, one of these
initiatives supported the creation of a women's collective in the department of Tolima, in an effort to rebuild the social
fabric in the department.
In Syria, Canada empowers local Syrian voices by strengthening grassroots civil society networks, wih a focus on women
community leaders.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Other: The increasingly complex nature of crises poses significant challenges to undertaking investments in stability to drive peace
initiatives.B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation? Canada recognizes that crises are becoming increasingly complex. Increased investments in stability need to be accompanied by political will and leadership to drive peace initiatives forward. This is especially true in inherently multilateral endeavours, such as the Elsie Initiative and the Vancouver Principles. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? Interventions in preventing, managing, or resolving violent conflict should be integrated to the extent possible. While it is important to address immediate causes and drivers of conflict, deeper factors contributing to conflict must also be considered. Keywords Gender
1D Develop solutions with and for people
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Canada will renew its National Action Plan on
Women, Peace and Security.
Policy Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
In 2018, Canada continued to develop an implementation plan for its Policy for Civil Society Partnerships for International
Assistance. Through this policy, Canada recognizes the importance of and aims to work with civil society organizations
(CSOs) to achieve gender transformative change, and empower the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized people and
communities, especially women and girls.
Canada also continued to work with CSOs to advance gender-responsive humanitarian action. In 2018, Canada
maintained regular dialogue with humanitarian CSO partners through the inclusion of CSO representatives on Canadian
Delegations (e.g. during UNHCR's Executive Committee). Canada also played an active role in the UNHCR-led
consultation process to develop the Global Compact on Refugees that included states and other stakeholders.
Canada tabled its first Progress report under its renewed National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) for
the period of 2017-2022. One of the Plan's main goals is to meet the needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings,
including upholding their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). From April 1, 2017 to March 31 2018,
Canada’s funding support for gender equality increased by 111%. In the same time period, Canada’s funding support for
SRHR in fragile and conflict-affected states and humanitarian settings also increased by 129%. The concrete target to
integrate gender equality into at least 80% of Canada’s humanitarian assistance was surpassed during the first year of the
Plan (at 93%).
Canada’s International Humanitarian Assistance Funding Application Guidelines for NGOs was also updated to require
partners to align with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) 8 Minimum Operating Standards on Protection from
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), in addition to having a code of conduct that is consistent with the 6 core principles
of the IASC Plan for Action and Core Principles of Codes of Conduct on PSEA in Humanitarian Crises.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Other: Accountability for violations of international humanitarian law remains a significant challenge for the international community.
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
Humanitarian and development actors must make increased and concerted efforts to ensure that the needs of those affected by crises,
including women and girls, are fully represented during all stages of program design and implementation.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
Canada’s National WPS Action Plan provides a framework for a cohesive whole-of-government approach and ensures that our
activities in fragile and conflict-affected states align with our broader commitments such as gender equality, empowerment of
women and girls, respect for women’s and girls’ human rights, and respect for diversity.
Keywords
Gender, PSEA2A Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Canada commits to contributing to the collection of
military best practice and policy to enhance the Policy Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
protection of civilians.
Canada is committed to enhancing child protection
and has provided CAD $1 million in support to the Financial
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- Contribution ()
General on Children and Armed Conflict.
Canada is committed to enhancing child protection
Financial
and has provided CAD $1 million to support the Child Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
Contribution ()
Protection Working Group.
Canada will adhere to and promote the Kigali
Principles on the Protection of Civilians in the context Advocacy Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
of peacekeeping operations.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
In 2018, Canada continued to support measures to tangibly enhance the protection of civilians, including through the
financial commitments noted above, as well as through its work on the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
where Canada continues to strive to emphasize the importance of protection of civilians in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Since endorsing the Kigali Principles in May 2016, Canada continued to participate in high-level meetings of parties to
expand endorsement and improve implementation of the Kigali Principles.
Canada also contributed to staff planning, technical expertise, and lessons learned in support of UN bodies and NATO
committees to develop military best practice and policy to enhance the protection of civilians.
In 2018, Canada advanced the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of
Child Soldiers as a complement to existing instruments in the child protection domain. The Vancouver Principles, which
has been endorsed by over 80 Member States, is a complement to both the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians,
and the Paris Principles and Commitments on Children and Armed Conflict. Canada also shepherded an international
consultation process on advancing Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles in order to assist member
states to operationalize the principles in their respective national circumstances.
During its G7 Presidency (2018), Canada successfully championed a G7 Foreign Ministers commitment on Promoting
Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). G7 Foreign Ministers committed to practical measures aimed at
promoting partners' effective implementation of IHL. Specifically, the G7 will, as appropriate seek commitments from
partners to enhance respect for IHL; continue to help increase the capacity of state and non-state partners to implement
IHL; and assist partners in ensuring that their disciplinary and/or judicial structures are capable of effectively addressing
their own IHL violations, should they occur.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Other: The protection of civilians is a whole of mission task requiring an integrated approach among military, police and civilian
components.
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
New mission mandates should be clear and include robust provisions concerning the protection of civilians where appropriate. Theymust be matched with the resources to carry them out effectively, recognizing that this is a whole of mission task that requires an integrated approach among military, police and civilians. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? The protection of civilians is key to most UN peacekeeping operations mandates. Contributing States should be upfront about any limitations on their personnel's ability to carry out mandates, as directed by the UN Security Council and under the leadership of Force and Policy Commanders, as this will assist the mission to adapt operations as the security environment changes. Keywords IHL compliance and accountability
2B Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Canada co-sponsored and supported UN Security
Council resolution 2286 on Healthcare in Armed Policy Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
Conflict and will continue to advocate on this issue.
Canada is committed to promoting principled
humanitarian action. It convenes dialogues with
humanitarian civil society organizations on a regular
basis and encourages concerted efforts to speak out Partnership Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
and address the challenges faced by humanitarians
in complex environments.
Canada is committed to providing timely and effective
humanitarian assistance that respects the
Operational Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality,
neutrality and independence.
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to ensure all populations in need receive rapid and
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
Commit to promote and enhance efforts to respect and protect
medical personnel, transports and facilities, as well as
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
humanitarian relief personnel and assets against attacks, threats
or other violent acts.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Since cosponsoring UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2286 in May 2016 on the protection of medical personnel
and facilities in armed conflict, Canada has undertaken a number of measures to advance its implementation. Canada
continues to co-lead, with Switzerland, an Informal Group on UNSCR 2286 based in Geneva. This group brings States
together to mobilize international leadership for protecting medical missions. In 2018, Canada continued to prioritize high
level advocacy events to raise awareness of the protection of medical missions in multilateral fora (United Nations General
Assembly, ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, World Health Assembly) whenever possible, including as an issue of
concern for the health sector. Canada’s Minister of Health co-authored a letter, published in The Lancet on April 2018, to
advocate for UNSCR 2286, which was followed by social media campaigns to promote support for UNSCR 2286 and to
raise awareness of the importance of protecting medical personnel and facilities in armed conflict.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
☑ Other: Accountability for attacks against medical and humanitarian personnel remains a serious challenge for the international
community.B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation? Lack of accountability for violations of international humanitarian law is a significant barrier to consistent and even implementation of UNSCR 2286. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? Parties to armed conflict must acknowledge and take responsibility to act on their legal obligations. Countries should act upon the UN Secretary General's recommendations on UNSCR 2286. Other countries could also make similar undertakings to the 2018 G7's Foreign Ministers' IHL commitment. Keywords IHL compliance and accountability
2C Speak out on violations
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious
violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations
and abuses of international human rights law and to take Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when
these acts amount to crimes under international law.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
As a supporter of the international human rights system, Canada works diligently to contribute to its effectiveness. Canada
was proud to be among the top ten donors of the OHCHR in 2018, through the provision of CAD $15 million over three
years in voluntary contributions.
Canada also supports projects aimed at ensuring accountability for violations of international criminal and humanitarian
law. In the context of Syria and Iraq, Canada is funding evidence collection, analysis and documentation efforts to support
the future prosecution of Daesh.
Canada continued to engage with the Syrian Commission of Inquiry, specifically on gender-based violence and regularly
co-sponsored Syria focused human rights side-events on the margins of the Human Rights Council meetings. Canada
also continued to engage and fund the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to support accountability for
the use of chemical weapons.
Canada worked to promote accountability for Daesh crimes in Iraq, and continued to support Coalition efforts to provide
training on international humanitarian law to the Iraqi Security Forces. Canada also maintained a regular dialogue with
Iraqi human rights defenders and with bodies such as the Iraqi Human Rights Commission in order to learn about cases of
human rights violations.
In 2018, on several occasions, Canada raised awareness of the worsening conditions in Yemen and the impact on
civilians, publicly called for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, and strongly urged all parties to the conflict to fully
comply with international humanitarian law.
In September 2018, Canada joined Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru in referring the situation in Venezuela
to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged commission of crimes against humanity.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
Accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law remains a significant challenge for the international
community. Strong and consistent efforts are needed to ensure respect for, and compliance with, international humanitarian and
human rights law.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
State and non-state actors who are parties to armed conflict must acknowledge and take responsibility to act on their legal
obligations. The establishment of an effective international mechanism aimed at improving compliance with internationalhumanitarian law would advance this issue. Keywords IHL compliance and accountability
2D Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability
Joint Commitments
Commitment Joint Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the "UN
Member States' Affirmation of the
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard
Importance of and Adherence to USA, others Policy
Humanity
International Humanitarian Law".
Canada is committed to becoming
a State Party to the Arms Trade
Treaty. Uphold the Norms that Safeguard
USA Policy
Humanity
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada announced renewed funding to support the
ICRC's Special Appeal on Strengthening Response Financial
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
to Sexual Violence with a contribution of CAD $3 Contribution ()
million (2016).
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Policy Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
As part of its revised commitments to the Call to
Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence
(GBV) in Emergencies, Canada commits to provide
dedicated multi-year funding toward GBV prevention
and response in humanitarian contexts from 2017-
2020, taking into account its importance at each
phase of an emergency, from preparedness and
Financial Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
onset through the transition to development. It also
commits to strengthen and update existing guidance
and tools -internal and external - on gender equality
and GBV in humanitarian response. It will advocate
for gender equality considerations and prevention
and response to gender-based violence in
international forum relevant to humanitarian contexts.
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to promote and enhance respect for international
humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
law, where applicable.Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious
violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations
and abuses of international human rights law and to take Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when
these acts amount to crimes under international law.
Implement a coordinated global approach to prevent and respond
to gender-based violence in crisis contexts, including through the Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in
Emergencies.
Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One
binding documents related to gender equality, women's
Behind
empowerment, and women's rights.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
Canada supports projects aimed at ensuring accountability for violations of international criminal and humanitarian law.
Diplomatically, Canada raised frequent condemnations of ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and major
international human rights violations in fora on the Syrian Crisis as well as raising concerns systematically bilaterally with
regional partners.
In 2018, on several occasions, Canada also raised awareness of the worsening conditions in Yemen and the impact on
civilians, publicly called for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, and strongly urged all parties to the conflict to fully
comply with international humanitarian law.
In September 2018, Canada also joined Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru in referring the situation in Venezuela
to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged commission of crimes against humanity.
Canada continues to advance a regular dialogue among States to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law. In
2018, Canada continued to engage with NATO allies to see how the alliance can contribute to the promotion of international
humanitarian law.
During its 2018 G7 Presidency, Canada successfully championed a G7 Foreign Ministers commitment on Promoting
Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). As part of this commitment, the G7 will seek commitments from
partners to enhance respect for IHL, and continue to help increase the capacity of State and non-state partners to implement
IHL.
Other
In 2018, Canada responded to country- specific issues of concern– such as in Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine, Mali, Iraq,
Venezuela, Yemen and others—by providing diplomatic leadership, issuing statements calling for compliance with
international law, including full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access; condemning incidents where humanitarian
personnel and facilities have been attacked; recalling legal and democratic obligations; and demanding accountability for
atrocities and gross violations of human rights. For example, Canada was a member of the core group on the Human Rights
Council resolution on Yemen which renewed the mandate of the group of eminent experts to allow it to gain access to the
territory to conduct its work. Canada continued to support, including financially, accountability efforts, particularly in Syria, Iraq,
and Myanmar.
Canada is taking the final steps to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty and anticipates becoming a member before the end of
2019.
Gender-based violence prevention and response
Canada supported advocacy and coordination for strengthened prevention and response of gender-based violence (GBV) in
emergencies as co-chair of the States and Donors Working Group of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based
Violence in 2018 and became lead of this global multi-stakeholder initiative on January 1, 2019.
In terms of GBV programming, Canada’s funding to UNFPA in Syria and the region (CAD $32.4M) helped provide
reproductive health services to 637,821 women, girls, boys and men in 2018. Approximately 200 sexual and reproductive
health mobile and static facilities throughout the region were also supported, providing prevention and response services to
those at-risk of GBV.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.☑ Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion ☑ IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation? The under-recognition that the prevention of and response to GBV in emergencies is a life-saving activity and continued violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are ongoing challenges for the international community in achieving this transformation. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? To ensure more accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, states and non-state actors who are parties to armed conflict must acknowledge and take responsibility to act on their legal obligations. To achieve system-level change and improve humanitarian outcomes, more efforts need to be taken to prevent and mitigate GBV from the start of humanitarian emergencies. Keywords Gender, IHL compliance and accountability
2E Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity
Joint Commitments
Commitment Joint Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
As part of a joint commitment
initiated by Austria and Chile,
Canada pledges to continue to
promote ratification of and
accession to the Anti-Personnel
Mine Ban Convention by States. It
remains gravely concerned about
the continued use of anti- Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica,
personnel mines and strongly Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador,
condemns any such use by any Mexico, Luxemburg, Germany, Uphold the Norms that Safeguard
Advocacy
actor. It further pledges to uphold Guatemala, Serbia, Slovenia, Humanity
its commitment to meet the Thailand, Paraguay, Peru,
humanitarian goal of the Sweden, Ukraine and Chile.
Convention - a world free from the
use and stockpiling of anti-
personnel mines, and to put an
end to the suffering caused by
anti-personnel mines through their
complete eradication.
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to promote and enhance respect for international
humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
law, where applicable.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Canada advocates for the universalization of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) at the UN
General Assembly and in all Convention multilateral meetings. Canada also continues to actively participate in the
Coordinating Committee of the Ottawa Convention to advance the aspirational goal of a mine-free world. Since signing the
Treaty, Canada has funded mine action in 60 countries. Over the past decade, Canada has contributed CAD $180 million to
mine action, including mine clearance (of anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, explosive remnants of war & unexploded
ordnance), stockpile destruction, advocacy, victims' assistance and mine risk education. In 2017/18 Canada spent CAD $15.7
million on mine action projects in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Iraq, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, Syria and Ukraine, and has
committed an additional CAD $19.8 million in the 2018/19 fiscal year for this work. In addition to these funding commitments
to mine-affected states, the Weapons Threat Reduction Program has committed more than CAD $3 million over three years
(2018-21) for implementation support of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions
(CCM). Additionally, at the 2017 Ottawa Convention Meeting of States Parties, Canada co-hosted a side-event on Women’s
Empowerment through Mine Action with the Gender and Mine Action Programme, and joined Australia and Ireland insupporting the Women in Disarmament Youth Leaders Forum. Furthermore, at the National Mine Action Directors Meeting, Canada moderated a plenary panel on gender and mine action. 2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below. ☑ Other: Canada remains concerned by allegations involving the use of antipersonnel mines by States Parties to the Convention and by non-state actors. B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation? Canada are concerned by the new use of antipersonnel mines by some States not party to the Convention, and by non-State armed groups. Canada condemn any use of anti-personnel mines and call on any States that are using them to cease and to join the Ottawa Convention without delay. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? Canada are particularly alarmed by the reported third consecutive year of exceptionally high global mine casualties. These facts underline the importance of support for mine action and cooperating where possible. Increased transparency, accountability, and stakeholder coordination can build stronger, longer-term stakeholder relationships in order to support our work towards a mine- free world.
3A Reduce and address displacement
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Over the next three years, Canada commits to
provide CAD $1.1 billion to help people affected by
conflict in the Middle East and to build capacity in the
communities and countries hosting large numbers of
refugees, such as Lebanon and Jordan ($840 million Financial
Leave No One Behind
and $270 million in humanitarian and development Contribution ()
funding, respectively, 2016-2018).
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Canada commits to resettle more refugees. Its target
for 2016 is to resettle 44,800 refugees from around
Operational Leave No One Behind
the world. This is triple the number of refugees
Canada has settled in recent years.
Noting the progress achieved by the Protection
Agenda of the Nansen Initiative, Canada commits to
continue to address the protection needs of people
displaced across borders in the context of disasters Operational Leave No One Behind
and climate change at relevant levels through our
active engagement within the new Platform on
Disaster Displacement.
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Commit to a new approach to addressing forced displacement
that not only meets immediate humanitarian needs but reduces
vulnerability and improves the resilience, self-reliance and
protection of refugees and IDPs. Commit to implementing this
new approach through coherent international, regional and Leave No One Behind
national efforts that recognize both the humanitarian and
development challenges of displacement. Commit to take the
necessary political, policy, legal and financial steps required to
address these challenges for the specific context.
Commit to promote and support safe, dignified and durable
solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees. Commit
to do so in a coherent and measurable manner through
international, regional and national programs and by taking the Leave No One Behind
necessary policy, legal and financial steps required for the
specific contexts and in order to work towards a target of 50
percent reduction in internal displacement by 2030.Acknowledge the global public good provided by countries and
communities which are hosting large numbers of refugees.
Commit to providing communities with large numbers of
displaced population or receiving large numbers of returnees with
the necessary political, policy and financial, support to address
Leave No One Behind
the humanitarian and socio-economic impact. To this end,
commit to strengthen multilateral financing instruments. Commit
to foster host communities' self-reliance and resilience, as part of
the comprehensive and integrated approach outlined in core
commitment 1.
Commit to collectively work towards a Global Compact on
responsibility-sharing for refugees to safeguard the rights of
Leave No One Behind
refugees, while also effectively and predictably supporting States
affected by such movements.
Commit to actively work to uphold the institution of asylum and
the principle of non-refoulement. Commit to support further
accession to and strengthened implementation of national,
regional and international laws and policy frameworks that ensure
and improve the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the Leave No One Behind
1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967
Protocol or the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance
of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala convention) or
the Guiding Principles on internal displacement.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Refugees
In 2018, Canada continued to make progress in implementing its commitments to address forced displacement. Canada
expanded its humanitarian-development nexus programming from the Middle East to other contexts to better meet the needs of
refugees and host communities. For example, Canada worked with the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh to
implement an innovative mechanism (de-risking loans) in support of health, nutrition, and basic education services for Rohingya
refugees. Canada also works closely with international partners to offer refugee protection to those most in need. Canada
provided CAD$ 95.6 million in funding support to UNHCR in 2018 to respond to the urgent needs of refugees and other persons
of concern. Canada also led the world in resettlement, resettling a total of 27,796 refugees, including over 8,099 government-
assisted refugees and over 18,559 privately-sponsored refugees. Canada also actively engaged in the consultations to develop
the Global Compact on Refugees, and strongly supported its adoption in December 2018.
Canada also continued to contribute to the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action on Promoting International Protection in
North America in which Canada is working with UNHCR, United States, and Mexico to strengthen asylum systems across Latin
America.
IDPs (due to conflict, violence, and disaster)
Canada continues to support a coordinated interagency approach to IDP protection and assistance. This includes working with
other donors and humanitarian actors to protect and provide for the basic needs of IDPs. In addition to funding provided to
UNHCR as mentioned above, Canada provided CAD$17.4 million in 2018 to support the work of IOM, including responses to
internal displacement. Canada also supported many NGO responses to displacement crises. For instance, in 2018, with GAC's
support, Save the Children Canada provided immediate lifesaving protection and nutrition services to 92,199 conflict-affected
girls and boys and their families in the Kasaï Oriental province, DRC, including significant numbers of IDPs. In 2017, the
Government of Canada committed to resettling up to 1,200 internally-displaced survivors of Daesh and their family members.
Over 2017 and 2018, Canada has welcomed more than 1,400 survivors of Daesh and their family members, including Yazidi
women and children. The majority of those resettled under this initiative were internally displaced persons from Northern Iraq.
Cross-border, disaster and climate related displacement
In 2018, the Government of Canada provided over CAD $1.53 million in support of those affected and displaced by natural
disasters, through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF). The CHAF allows Humanitarian Coalition NGO
members to respond to smaller-scale, rapid-onset crises where there are unmet humanitarian needs. Over the course of 2018,
support was provided to Ethiopia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Somalia, Tonga, and Uganda.B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit ☑ Grand Bargain 2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below. ☑ Data and analysis ☑ Funding amounts ☑ Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis, planning, funding and/or response B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation? Global forced displacement remains at record levels. Canada engages with its humanitarian and development partners to encourage the implementation of a comprehensive approach to forced displacement, and to increase their use of sex and age disaggregated data to inform responses to forced displacement situations. 3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation? Comprehensive refugee responses and the implementation of the GCR are needed to enhance responsibility-sharing to respond to the needs of the forcibly displaced and host communities. States should also support increased refugee resettlement and promote complementary pathways. Canada supported the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative to enhance international responsibility-sharing by expanding global resettlement. Keywords Displacement
Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for
3B
migration
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
In December 2018, Canada, along with other UN member states, adopted the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and
the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). Canada was actively engaged in the development of
both documents, including by encouraging key principles within the document such as gender equality and human rights.
Canada is proud to have taken a leadership role in the negotiation of both compacts.
Canada is providing CAD $15.2 million from 2016-2020 in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Mexico for
the “Prevention of irregular child migration in Central America” project. Implemented through the Christian Children Fund
of Canada (CCFC), the project is targeting the underlying root causes of violence, unemployment and lack of education in
deprived urban and rural communities, leading to the dangerous migration of children out of the Americas region.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Data and analysis
☑ Multi-stakeholder coordination
☑ Strengthening national/local systems
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
Addressing the above mentioned challenges will be a crucial part of the implementation of both Global Compacts. In particular, the
GCM could help strengthen evidence base for policy and decision making, coordination between stakeholders and promote
comprehensive, planned migration systems.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
The implementation of a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is an important step in improving how the
international community responds to the challenges and opportunities of international migration. This Compact advances
collective progress by promoting the value of more comprehensive, planned migration systems, including developing more
temporary and permanent regular pathways to provide alternatives to irregular migration.
Keywords
Migrants, Protection3C End statelessness in the next decade
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Canada is a signatory to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and complies with its obligation to prevent
and reduce future cases of statelessness. In 2018, Canada provided CAD$95.6 million in funding to UNHCR, which includes
the eradication of statelessness in its Global Strategic Priorities. Through its engagement with the Agency, Canada also
encouraged UNHCR’s work to draw attention to, and resolve, situations of statelessness, including its campaign to end
statelessness by 2024. To this end, Canada is a member of the Friends of the #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness, and
has participated in the ongoing development of the Global Compact on Refugees, which encourages States to undertake
gender-sensitive practices that would prevent or resolve cases of statelessness. Canada was supportive of the focus within
this process on efforts to prevent, reduce, and ultimately end statelessness. Canada also provided a number of protections for
stateless persons in Canada. Any stateless person in Canada requiring refugee protection has access to the refugee
determination system. Individuals not requiring refugee protection can apply to remain on humanitarian and compassionate
grounds or through other immigration programs.
2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this
transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
☑ Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
☑ IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
☑ Strengthening national/local systems
B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?
Addressing the above mentioned challenges, including gaps in nationality laws and the gendered dimensions of these laws, will be a
crucial part of ending statelessness. Government action will required in order to resolve statelessness.
3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?
Canada is strongly supportive of international efforts to reform existing legal frameworks and promote nationality laws that are
non-discriminatory based on gender or minority status. The international community should promote greater international
solidarity and responsibility-sharing to advance this issue, and continue to undertake concrete measures to reduce
statelessness, including through the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.
Keywords
Gender3D Empower and protect women and girls
Individual Commitments
Commitment Commitment Type Core Responsibility
Canada aligns itself with the Political Communiqué Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
for the World Humanitarian Summit issued on 21 May Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave
Policy
2016. No One Behind Change People's Lives: From
Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
Canada will improve capacity of Global Affairs
Canada and its partners on gender equality
mainstreaming and gender based violence (GBV)
programming in humanitarian response through
Operational Leave No One Behind
strengthened guidance and tools, to ensure all
humanitarian programming is gender-responsive,
and includes effective gender analysis, and
monitoring and reporting on gender equality results.
Canada commits to advocating for the successful
implementation of the Global Strategy on Women's,
Children's and Adolescent's Health (2016-2030).
Canada will particularly encourage the scale up of
Advocacy Leave No One Behind
international efforts to end preventable deaths of
women, children and adolescents, including in crisis
settings.
Core Commitments
Commitment Core Responsibility
Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders,
including by increasing support for local women's groups to Leave No One Behind
participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and
reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme
of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Leave No One Behind
Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the
Outcome documents of their review conferences for all women
and adolescent girls in crisis settings.
Ensure that humanitarian programming is gender responsive. Leave No One Behind
Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One
binding documents related to gender equality, women's
Behind
empowerment, and women's rights.
1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2019 to implement the commitments
which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant
data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
Empowerment of women and girls
During the G7 Development Ministerial (June 2018), under Canada’s leadership, the largest humanitarian donors committed
to the G7 Whistler declaration on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Action. The
declaration recognizes the importance of advancing gender equality in all humanitarian responses. In doing so, Canada also
recognizes that women and adolescent girls are powerful agents of change. The declaration identifies women and girls as
such, and commits the G7 to ensure that women and girls have an equal voice and representation in making decisions thatYou can also read
